held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace
held up mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden over 2f out, kept on and headed towards finish
held up in rear and keen, smooth headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on well to lead towards finish
ALWAYS RESOLUTE (NAP) is a couple of pounds out of the handicap but carries no penalty for last week's victory in an apprentice contest at Doncaster. With his young rider able to claim 7lb he's still looking on a very fair mark and can complete a quick double. Jan Smuts is a thorough stayer as he showed when landing a handicap over two miles here a couple of weeks ago though he's only won at a lower level. Stormin Tom was in the lead at this trip in that latter event and only succumbed close home so he looks to have every chance of reversing the form. Perrault, a winner over 1m2f at Chepstow last May, has been racing at a higher level over shorter than this so he should get involved but Kiwayu hasn't won since landing a Class 2 handicap at York almost three years ago. Bulas Belle battled on strongly at Catterick in October though all three of her career victories have been on ground with plenty of give.
Corona Borealis 17-2 (9-8) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place close home, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Hardstone (10-0) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Perrault (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division on outer, outpaced 2f out, soon lost place and ridden, behind final furlong, last of 11, 10 1/4l behind Dark Red (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Endless Credit (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten, 16th of 20, 16 1/2l behind Appeared (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Bulas Belle 9-1 (9-12) Led, hard pressed over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on to lead again closing stages, won at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Sinakar (9-13) by hd, 9 ran.
Skiddaw Valleys 11-1 (9-2) Raced wide held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Play Nicely (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
Jan Smuts (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Ripon 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Stormin Tom (8-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Stormin Tom (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Jan Smuts (9-4) at Ripon 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Kiwayu 9-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Zakatal (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Always Resolute 5-2fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in May beating Longside (9-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
Lexi's Boy (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along, 4f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Hidden Justice (9-11) at Doncaster 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr.
